What opinion of the character of Brutus have you formed from your reading of Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar?

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*What opinion of the character of Brutus have you formed from your reading of Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar?

Needless to say that Brutus’ name has always been connected with honour. This is the most striking feature of his character. Brutus’ nobility is well known to all characters. This is clear through Shakespeare’s presentation of people’s points of view. Cassius describes him as “Brutus, thou art noble”. Cinna also refers to his name as the “noble Brutus”. Its Brutus nobility that makes him win people’s love and respect as Casca explains, “sits high in all the people’s hearts” What is more, we hear the same description from Antony who considers Brutus “the noblest Roman of them all”. It’s this nobility that makes Cassius ask Brutus to join the conspirasy against Caesar. Brutus’ name would make people consider caesar’s assassination a noble action “I love the name of honour more than fear death” as he declares. Shakespeare meant to focus attention on Brutus’ rank in Rome – He wins people’s respect. He also has a great influence upon people’s hearts and minds. No wonder that the conspirators follow Brutus as their leader. Casius Ligarius joins the conspiracy simply because it’s under Brutus leadership. Words in Brutus description are so clear in the dialogues among the conspirators when they decide to kill Caesar as Brutus refuses to take an oath, ”what other oath / than honesty to honesty engaged / that this sall be, or we will fall for it?”

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Brutus main motive behind Caesar’s assassination is the welfare of his country. He seeks people’s sights as he stands against dictatorship and kingship. In his opening dialogue with Cassius, Brutus refers to his own fear of Caesar’s increasing power: “what means this shouting? I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king”.

Cassius wins Brutus because he plays on the idea of honour. Brutus has already been feeling worried by thougths of Caesar’s increasing power as given by Cassius, “he does bestride the narrow world / like a Colossus”. We see Brutus’ love for honour and nobility clear, ...

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